Classic Thanksgiving Crafts That Are Fun and Budget Friendly

 Here are some classic Thanksgiving crafts that are fun, budget-friendly, and perfect for adding a festive touch to any gathering!

1. DIY Pinecone Turkeys

• What You’ll Need: Pinecones, colored craft paper (or fabric scraps), glue, googly eyes (optional), scissors.
• Instructions: Use the pinecone as the turkey's body. Cut out feather shapes from colored paper and glue them onto the pinecone to create a fan of feathers at the back. Add a small paper triangle for the beak, and stick on googly eyes if you have them! This is a fun activity for kids and adults alike, and these little turkeys make adorable table decorations.

2. Gratitude Trees

• What You’ll Need: A few bare branches (from the yard or craft store), a vase or jar, small pieces of paper (cut into leaf shapes if possible), string or ribbon, and markers.
• Instructions: Place the branches in a vase, securing them so they stay upright. Guests can write something they’re thankful for on a paper "leaf" and tie it to a branch. By the end of the gathering, the tree will be full of heartfelt notes. This doubles as a lovely centerpiece that reminds everyone of the season’s true spirit.

3. Corn Husk Wreaths

• What You’ll Need: A foam wreath base, dried corn husks (from the grocery store or craft section), a hot glue gun, and optional ribbon.
• Instructions: Glue layers of corn husks onto the foam base, overlapping them to create a natural, layered look. Add a ribbon for hanging or a bow for an extra touch. This wreath brings a warm, rustic feel to any front door or table.

4. Painted Pumpkin Place Cards

• What You’ll Need: Mini pumpkins, acrylic paint, small brushes, and cardstock or name tag paper.
• Instructions: Paint fun designs or just the stems of mini pumpkins to match your table decor. Write each guest’s name on a small card and place it in front of or beside the pumpkin. These double as festive decor and personalized place cards!

5. Thanksgiving Candle Holders with Leaves

photo credit Lily Childers

• What You’ll Need: Small glass jars, Mod Podge, fall leaves (real or faux), and tea lights or LED candles.
• Instructions: Brush Mod Podge onto the outside of a jar, place a leaf on it, and coat it with another layer of Mod Podge. Once dry, place a tea light inside for a cozy, autumnal glow. These look lovely clustered on a mantel or as table decor.

Our grandkids are getting older, but what I have found is that even the silliest of crafting activities during the holidays can grow special memories. 

Wednesday What Not

 I returned to the dentist yesterday to get the molds done for the new night guard. I dreaded getting the molds done.  But I did it for the first time for both top and bottom and survived. 

Yesterday, I did go to the gym and walked two miles.  The temps are not too bad in the morning, it is the humidity that will get you.  Today was a no-gym day, and I will return on Thursday and Friday.  There will also be walking. 

Today, I hit up a couple of grocery stores. First was Publix.  They had BOGO cake mixes, and for our indulge day on Saturday, I am going to make a chocolate cake with vanilla icing.  Then I went to Aldi and picked up more than I thought I would.  Mostly vegetables, and assorted meats.  I did get a couple of rib-eye steaks for later this month.  We have good luck with the rib eye steaks from Aldi. 

I have a few things to do in my former eBay workspace.  Things have kinda gotten a little crazy in there. I am trying to find a hobby of sorts to occupy my mind and time.  I can't really go too far from the house because of hubs health.  We just never know how he will feel from day to day. I have looked into junk journaling.  Cutting and gluing seems like it might be okay.  Just like back in kindergarten lol. 

What fun hobbies do you have ?  I need ideas!

Six Month Car Check Up

Can you see the hidden Mickeys? It a Disney electric car. Not for me lol

 The weekend was uneventful.  We went to the fish place, and we decided to eat there.  That cost a bit
more as we enjoyed a couple of draft beers.  It was worth every penny. We also went to feed the community cats at a friend's house.  She is away for the summer and we help her and her cats out while she is gone. 

Sunday, I did get my 4-mile walk in yesterday.  We live in a hilly area of Florida and I did a couple of long hills in the walk.  On Sundays, traffic is very light and it is a pleasure to get out and walk.  There is low noise and hardly any gas fumes.  What did we have for dinner?  Hmm... Oh yes, it was frozen hamburger patties from Aldi on the grill and yellow squash, zucchini, and cabbage in the air fryer. We don't use hamburger buns, but we do use Dave's Killer bread in place of the buns. 

Today, I had an appointment at the dealership for a parts recall on my car. While there, I also had the tires rotated and my oil changed.  I really like going to this dealership, they are respectful and when something has to be done to the car they make me feel like it's necessary and not just an add on.  I usually run it by my husband it is a costly item.  He remembers more of what they have done in the past than I do. 

I did get to the gym this morning but I did not get my walk completed because of the car appointment. If it cools down, I will try to get in a couple of miles completed this evening.  I may try to add on an extra gym day this week. I usually use free weights and a couple of the machines that the gym has.  Most of the machine exercises are the same I did when I had my knees replaced. Never want to do that again. 

I reapplied to Target.  Again.  We will see.  I am always hopeful and persistent.  Have not heard back from Starbucks yet.  You never know!

How was your weekend?

Saturday Stuff and Random Thoughts

 Happy Saturday!  The week was pretty quiet.  A couple of dental appointments and that's about it.  That is a good thing.  I did get to the gym on my regular days, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  I could also walk about two miles most of the days this week. I skipped Wednesday because I had to go to the dentist. This morning I walked four miles.  Not too bad. 

We will be going out to eat lunch today.  We only go out once a week, and typically at a local Fish place.  They have great Fish and Chips.  Some days we bring it home to eat some days we stay there.  When we take it home, we save about 30 bucks because we don't have any beer.  The rest of the week we
eat portioned controlled, whole foods.  We don't eat any processed foods.  That is a Saturday thing. 

The diet change was necessary for both of us.  My husband is having health issues and I was and still am fat.  But we are doing much better with all the things.  My weight is slowly coming off. Slow is the keyword.  I count myself very lucky as I do not have to take any prescription medications. My husband is slowly coming off of most of his meds.  

I am a bit bored in retirement, so I have applied to a few local places for a part-time job.  Target has rejected me 3 times and Chic Fil A has rejected me twice lol.  I will keep trying.  I just submitted an application to Starbucks. We will see how that goes.  I may try Disney again.  But I really don't want to drive that far lol.  I do have employment gaps so maybe they can determine my age by the info and maybe they don't want the liability of an older employee. I will keep trying and let you know!

There is also a home for sale in the neighborhood behind us.  We have been eyeballing it to buy as a rental.  Again, do we need to do that as a couple in their 60s? It is on a side street, with a level driveway, and yard.  Around here, there are lots of little hills and valleys, and finding a level driveway is kinda rare. Maybe since I actually put it out there, the desire will go away.  But then again, I may have to call my realtor next week. Again, I will keep you posted. 

Would you add a rental to your investment portfolio in your 60s?

Enjoy your weekend! 

Dental Drama But It Could Be Worse

  Yesterday I went to the dentist for my semi annual cleaning. I am friends with my hygienist, and she isan absolute dear.  I think as we age, and are in the workforce (her not me currently) it is hard to start up new friendships when you are a little more mature. We are building our friendship and meet up outside the office at least once every 6 months.  We are going to do better with that in the future. 

My cleaning went okay, I don't have any cavities, but I was experiencing some discomfort on my left upper side.  I had a root canal two years ago and my dentist said I may have an abscess in this tooth.  The endodontist that did this tooth did an excellent job.  I thought what could really be going on, but they gave me a referral to my endodontist and I went there today. 

My semi feral cat, Maggie

Now, dentists give me ANXIETY. I did not sleep at all and I was on full alert this morning for the appointment, but I was trying to act like all was well.  I am sure they could see right through it. They did the  x-rays and the the 360 scan of my mouth.

My tooth is fine. The endodontist says I am grinding my teeth in my sleep.  Good gravy!  I relate it to the stress I have been experiencing with my husband and his health problems. Now, I have to go back to the dentist and get a guard of some sort.  This is my month to be an adult and do all the adult things. 

Beyond that, the day was uneventful.  I am helping a friend out by feeding her community cats while she is in Michigan. I go every evening and visit the crew. The colony has at the most about 8-9 cats.  All are fixed.  We did all the trapping last summer. 

Tomorrow I will finish paying bills and moving money around.  I am playing the credit card game with points and it is like a part time job keeping track of the purchases and the cards. It does pay off in the end.  So far this year, we have saved up enough points to get a set of tires for my husband's truck. 

Do you use your credit cards for rewards?

What's New? Lots Of Changes Going On.

 This has been a busy year.  My husband has been dealing with what was finally diagnosed as AFib. The diagnosis was provided in March of this year.  He started with multiple hospitalizations beginning in January. Once diagnosed with AFib, he struggled with the multitude of medications they gave him to control the AFib. 

He finally had an ablation, a procedure to regulate the electrical charges in his heart. Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not.  We are in the 3-month window waiting for the healing of the heart from the abalation. Meanwhile, He has had two more overnight hospital stays.  He is back on one of the heart meds to regulate his heartbeat. 

On the last visit he had a loop monitor placed in his chest wall.  This will provide 24 hour readings to the cardiologist.  He has days where he feels good and then days where he feels not so good.  He has been out on medical leave since March 11. 

Meanwhile, I have been regulating my stress with frequent gym visits every week and LOTS of walking.  Miles and miles of walking.  This has been a lifesaver for me.  It is hot, but I do get out early when the sun comes out.  

Not much else going on.  Hopefully, his heart will settle down and he will feel better.  He wants very much to go back to work. That would be lovely.  If not, we are looking at an early retirement for him. 

We did watch the Olympics and I think we both really enjoyed Ping Pong of all things.  It is crazy how serious they are about Ping Pong.  I'd like to try it for the senior Olympics lol. 

Chat soon!  

Had to Shop for Auto Insurance

 We recently received our 6-month auto insurance bill from GEICO.  Surprise!  It was a 20% increase in

the bill.  After that shock, I shopped around locally for auto insurance based on what I researched from the Word Of Mouth pages (local to me) on FaceBook. 

A call to a local State Farm office saved us $800 a year. Shocker.  The policy is the same as the one at GEICO and we were able to bundle our homeowners insurance in the package too.  Unfortunately, we could not get a policy from them for the rental ( my deceased parents' home).  That home still has insurance just through another agent.  It is difficult to get coverage for a home in Florida built in the late 1960's.  The insurance companies want the houses up to the current code ( related to hurricanes) and those strict building codes did not start until 2002. 

We are enjoying fantastic weather. The temps are in the 40s in the AM but quickly warm up to about 60 degrees.  I have been able to open up the house and air it out which does not happen very often at all.  We are expecting it to warm up to the 80s again at the end of the week. Crazy weather.  

There are a couple of things I still need to get looked at regarding the house.  The garage door opener is glitchy and has been for at least a year and the pool light works intermittently.  I am hoping to get both of those looked at before the end of the year.  I have YouTubed how to fix the garage door, but have yet to find a solution.  Regarding the pool light, I am hoping my electrician sons can help me to get that fixed. They are both soooo busy with their jobs and lives that it is hard to work that in. 

Menu Plan Monday - How Went Last Week Plans for This Week

Here is what we were supposed to have last week. Most days were successful.  Friday and Sunday were days we ate carry-out food.  I typically budget $50 a paycheck for eating out and we pretty much spent it all.  I was dealing with an upset tummy on  Friday and on Sunday we were finishing up projects on our to-do list.  I just got lazy lol. 

One of our projects was replacing a panel on the oven door.  The adhesive had somehow worn out along the bottom of the outer cover and when you would open the door, it would wobble.  Annoying.  

I ordered the replacement with the help of a local appliance repair business.  With the help of YouTube, we were able to remove the door and my husband was able to replace the panel and we were back in business.  There was a glitch in getting the door back on the oven, but more YouTube research helped that process.  

 Since the oven door was off, I went ahead and did a quick cleaning of the oven.  I removed the racks and
started them soaking with vinegar and Dawn.  Then I wiped the oven down and sprayed it with GooGone oven cleaner.  The GooGone was basically odor-free and did a fairly decent job of cleaning and removing most of the gunk on the inside of the oven.  I am putting a reminder in my phone to clean out the oven next year about this time with the link to the YT video that we found most helpful for removing and putting the oven door back on. 

Oh, and let's not forget how junky and crumb-filled the bottom drawer was. Disgusting! 

HERE IS LAST WEEK'S MENU

• Monday - Roast in the crockpot.  I have had this roast in the freezer for a LONG time.  Will add potatoes and carrots 
• Tuesday - Leftovers. Maybe.  If not, then Sliced Ham and air fryer potatoes with broccoli
• Wednesday - Pulled pork sandwiches with sauce.  Coleslaw
• Thursday - Thanksgiving at family.  We will probably eat sandwiches or hot dogs in the evening. Depends on how hungry we are..
• Friday - Pizza    Chick Fil A ( stomach was still upset)
• Saturday - Frozen fish triangles with Mac and Cheese ( Kraft blue box)
• Sunday -  Crockpot Taco Hashbrown Casserole     Take Out Pizza

HERE IS THIS WEEK'S MENU

• Monday - Sliced Ham and sweet potatoes.
• Tuesday - Spaghetti Casserole 
• Wednesday - Breakfast for dinner
• Thursday - Hamburgers
• Friday -      Grilled Cheese and Soup
• Saturday - Air Fryer Chicken Breast and Large Chef Salad
• Sunday -  Crockpot Taco Hashbrown casserole   Going to try to actually make it this
•  time.

As I was walking this morning I already thought of a few different things we can eat this week. If I change anything I will post it. I did get 1.3 miles in this morning.  It is dreary but the weather is nice and cool.  Can't complain. 

Did you stay on track with your menu plans last week?  Are you eating any Thanksgiving leftovers this week? 

Saturday Check In

Thanksgiving did not go as planned. We were invited to our daughter's in-laws for a Turkey feast and I was really looking forward to it. About 30 minutes before we were supposed to leave, my stomach was not feeling great, and decided that I had to stay home. 

 I encouraged my husband to go on without me, but he declined.  He stayed home and ate a turkey 
sandwich.  Luckily, my inlaws sent over food with my daughter for us.  My husband was able to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal and I made myself some plain spaghetti with butter.  That was about all my stomach could handle. 

The rest of the evening was uneventful with regard to my stomach issues, but I really did not tempt the fates by eating anything else. 

Black Friday came and went.  I did order a new comforter from Belk to take advantage of the Black Friday pricing, but I did not venture out into the shopping chaos. Most gifts have been bought already and the rest of the gifts will be gift cards or cash. 

I did venture out to the local thrift store to drop off items, but one was closed and one was not accepting donations after noon.  This was one of the few occasions that I did not need to go to the grocery store for something.  Leading up to Thanksgiving I felt like I was at the store every day! I was finishing up an Ibotta deal and then I got hooked on Ibotta and felt like I had to get more "deals".  Vicious circle lol. 

My stomach is better but not 100%.  I hope that today (Saturday) there will be a vast improvement.  

Regardless, I will try to get a few things done.  When I go back to the thrift store to drop off items, I will probably go in and see what they have.  I am looking for craft stamps, and sometimes you can find them in the bags they hang on the wall. 

• Morning walk
• Drop off items at the thrift store
• Finish putting up Christmas decorations
• Decide what is for dinner
• Vacuum and dust master bedroom
• Work on decluttering the computer room
• Continue to pull together estate papers.  

The weather is cool but with that, we are not seeing the sun as it is overcast and gloomy.  I am okay with that as it will help the electric bill.  This morning it is 56 degrees with a high of 74 degrees. 

How is the weather where you are? Did you go out and shop Black Friday deals?

Happy Thanksgiving!

 Wishing you and yours a happy and blessed Thanksgiving!

Menu Plan Monday

 I run hot and cold on menu/meal planning.  Here's to getting back on track. Again.

• Monday - Roast in the crockpot.  I have had this roast in the freezer for a LONG time.  Will add potatoes and carrots
• Tuesday - Leftovers. Maybe.  If not, then Sliced Ham and air fryer potatoes with broccoli
• Wednesday - Pulled pork sandwiches with sauce.  Coleslaw
• Thursday - Thanksgiving at family.  We will probably eat sandwiches or hot dogs in the evening. Depends on how hungry we are..
• Friday - Pizza
• Saturday - Frozen fish triangles with Mac and Cheese ( Kraft blue box)
• Sunday -  Crockpot Taco Hashbrown casserole https://www.themagicalslowcooker.com/taco-potato-casserole/

What's cooking at your house this week?  

What Are You Doing for Thanksgiving?

This Thanksgiving we are invited to my daughter's inlaws home.  I love that I don't have to cook a big meal and am only required to bring a dessert ( or whatever else is needed).  The days of prepping a huge Thanksgiving dinner for 17 to 20 people are done for me.  I look back when I did do the big meal thing and it was at a time when I was working full time and commuting an hour daily round trip. What was I thinking lol? 

My children are grown and in their 40's.  You would think I could go to their house for Thanksgiving.  My daughter does not cook.  She always said since she was a little girl that she never wanted to cook and that she would find a man who would cook.  And that she did.  

My middle son does have a BIG neighborhood Thanksgiving dinner celebration.  We have attended on a couple of occasions and have enjoyed ourselves.  We try to rotate between my son and my daughter's in laws for Thanksgiving. 

My oldest son will either come with us to the in-laws or he and his girlfriend will celebrate at their home. He works A LOT and he may be working some of the holiday weekend.  

We will all get together for Christmas dinner at our home.  I will fix dinner and entertain the masses then. We don't exchange gifts but I do put together a huge saran wrap ball that is filled with assorted gift cards and small dollar tree gifts.  The total amount for the gift cards will be about $400. You get what you get. 

What pleases me is that my grown kids are happy in their lives and careers.  I can pick up the phone and chat with them and catch up.  And they can do the same.  I am GRATEFUL that we are still on the same page as a family and are not divided by disagreements or significant others. 

That is the best gift for me as a mom.  The love and support of my family. I pray it continues. 

Today I will be cleaning out a couple of kitchen cabinets that are long overdue.  These cabinets hold the meds and supplements for us.  I am not on any maintenance meds but I do take supplements when I remember. My husband is on a couple of maintenance meds and lots of supplements. 

Happy Sunday!

 

Friday Check In

 It has been an absolutely dreary week with endless rain and no sun.  There is a tropical depression that has invaded South Florida and we are reaping the after effects of that storm.  Hurricane season is ending with a bang, that's for sure. 

For the last week, I have successfully walked at least a mile every day, even in the rain lol.  It has been good for me physically and mentally. While walking, I plan my day and come up with a mental to do list.  The challenge is to remember what I came up with and get it done. 

I write down what I can recall and try to get most of that done through out the day.  Today on the list is:

• Order the last of the Christmas gifts from Amazon
• Order new curtains from WalMart.  ( I will pay the shipping, I do not want to GO to WalMart at all)
• Organize Estate documents. ( This is ongoing and I try to do a little every day or so)
• Start wrapping the few gifts that have arrived.
• Work on my desk and clean out a spot for me.   Started it.
• Figure out what is for dinner tonight
• Plan what is for dinner for the next few nights
• Finish up Christmas decorating inside the house
• Vacuum and wash floor in TV room. ( I like to just deep clean one room at a time)

I may run to the Thrift Store and see what they have.  Last month I closed down my eBay store and have had a couple of resellers come over and buy what they want.  I am done with reselling and all that it involves. 

But, I still like to go to the thrift store and look around.  :-)

Have a great weekend!